'Mindless parasites' torch children's play area in south London

A group of "mindless parasites" torched a children's play area in south London last night.

The blaze was started at about 7.30pm on a climbing frame in Abbey Play Park, off Abbey Road, Bexley. Before the fire brigade extinguished it, it had spread to a nearby tree and destroyed the frame and a slide.

Regulars of the south London park, a stone's throw from the historic Lesnes Abbey ruins, have spoken of their anger over the fire - which detectives believe was started deliberately.

AmitP (@‏AmitP327) wrote on Twitter: "Mindless parasites. My kids along with hundreds of others will be heartbroken. Someone somewhere knows the people responsible."

The Met now want to speak to five boys and four girls, all aged 14 to 16, who were in the park at the time.

Anyone with information about the blaze or the teenagers is asked to contact Pc Molnar on 020 8721 2049, or e-mail Thamesmead.snt@met.police.uk. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.